cosmodrome

American  

[koz-muh-drohm] / ˈkɒz məˌdroʊm /

noun

1. an aerospace center or launching site for spacecraft in the Soviet Union.

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cosmodrome British  

/ ˈkɒzməˌdrəʊm /

noun

1. a site, esp one in the former Soviet Union, from which spacecraft are launched

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Etymology

Origin of cosmodrome

1950–55; < Russian kosmodróm; see cosmo-, -drome

Example Sentences

Amid sanctions and the invasion of Ukraine, European missions haven't used Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a decade.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

But Lier acknowledged there were "vintage" and "moving" aspects of the launchpad because it is so similar to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, launched from in 1961.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

In 2012, Williams launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 127-day mission as part of Expedition 32/33.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

During his travel to Russia, Kim met Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important domestic space launch center, and inspected other key Russian weapons-making sites.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2023

Two hours into the flight, Frank Powers switched on his plane’s cameras and photographed Baikonur Cosmodrome, the site from which Soviet scientists had shocked the world with their Sputnik launch.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin